Actor Tom Hiddleston joined forces with government minister Justine Greening at Hampstead School to raise awareness of the plight of children caught up in humanitarian crises.

Unicef UK Ambassador Tom Hiddleston and International Development Secretary Justine Greening meet pupils at Hampstead School, London, to discuss the UKâ€™s role in keeping children safe in humanitarian emergencies

Mr Hiddleston is the UK ambassador for UNICEF as well as a star of stage and screen, whilst Ms Greening is the secretary of state for international development.

The pair visited Hampstead School last week for a discussion on how children affected by war or natural disaster can best be protected ahead of the first World Humanitarian Summit which will take place in Istanbul this month.

Mr Hiddleston, who lives in Hampstead Garden Suburb, said: “Nearly a quarter of the world’s school-aged children now live in countries affected by crisis.

“Every single one of these children should be at school and learning. Education is a vital source of safety and hope for children, allowing them to learn, play and escape the horrors of war and disasters.

Unicef UK Ambassador Tom Hiddleston and International Development Secretary Justine Greening meet pupils at Hampstead School, London, to discuss the UKâ€™s role in keeping children safe in humanitarian emergencies

“We must make sure that education in emergencies is prioritised, otherwise a generation of children living in conflict and natural disasters will grow up without the skills they need to contribute to their countries and economies, exacerbating the already desperate situation for millions of children and their families. We must invest in their futures now.”

Ms Greening said: “When I speak to young people, I am struck by how passionate they are about international issues and today’s debate with pupils at Hampstead School was no exception.

“I’ll be taking many of the views I have heard today to the World Humanitarian Summit later this month when I discuss with world leaders how the international community can better respond to crises around the globe.”

A new fund will be launched to provide emergency education for refugee children at the Turkey summit.

I live in the north west of London in the United Kingdom. Like the rest of the country, I have been looking on in bewilderment at the Brexit deal while politicians on both sides of the house vie for political supremacy. Divisions in government make for good news headlines but do nothing for the public’s confidence in its institutions.

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